The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-05-05
A Visit to Fort Hill.

A short time ago the Bolton Literary
Club conceived the idea Of visiting Fort
Hill, the home of that grand old states
man, John g. Calhoun. To carry out this
object it was decided to board the early
morning freight train from Bolton and go
to Cherry's Crossing, four miles above
Pendleton, and from there walk over to
Fort Hill. Communication was at once
opened with the railroad authorities, and
all the necessary arrangem ents were soon
made. Last Friday was set apart for the
visit, and that morning the freight train,
In charge of Conductor Lawson, pulled
out from Bolton with the following per.
sons on board: Misses Meredith, Ella
MCGEE, Lula MCGEE, Ida Bigby, Lura
Todd, Nora Brown, Emma Clinkscales,
Eva stringer, Mary Latham, Annie EN-
merson, Messrs. j. T. Cox, D. A. Geer, 81.
NJ. Geer, W. 81. Geer, L. T. Shirley, J. T.
Martin, W. E. Breazeale, E. T. Breazeale,
NJ. Breazeale, Augustus Moorhead, B. F.
Carpenter, w. j. Moorhead, J. M. King,
J. M. Geer, e. B. Rice and DR., Campbell.
The chaperons were Mrs. w. s. Pryor,
Mrs. L. L. McGee, Mrs. G. P. Meredith
and Mrs. B. A. Wilson. AtAnderson the
party was joined by Mr.. A. j. Geer and
rye Local." who had been invited to ac-
company them on the trip. A more con-
genial OK jolEer crowd could not have
been gathered together.
We reached Cherry's Crossing about 10
o'clock a. m and were soon on the tramp
to Fort Hill, about two miles distant.
The walk was through forest, up hill
and down hill, but was highly enjoyed by
both ladies and gentlemen.
AS is we'll known, Fort Hill is now the
home of Mr.. Thomas Clemson, son-in-law
of Mr.. Calhoun. When we reached the
house we were informed that Mr.. Clemson
was not at home, but Miss Prince, an in
telligent and handsome young lady, whose
mother is house-keeper for Mr.. Clemson,
met the party and very kindly and cour-
teously conducted us through the house
and grounds, showing and explaining to
US the numerous relics that belonged to
the great statesman. The walls of the
hall and of two rooms are covered with a
rare and valuable collection of oil paint
ings and portraits, some of them being
very large. A few of the portraits were
painted by Mr.. Clemson, who is a talented
artist himself, but q large number of the
paintings were brought from Europe. A
view of these pictures is worth trip to
the place. The furniture of Mr.. Calhoun's
study, we were told, stands about as he
Left it. His table and sideboard and a
chair which was presented to him by
George Washington, are among the curl
osities of this room. In the library are
to be seen many old and valuable books,
besides other relics that were collected by
Mr.. Calhoun.
On approaching the premises there is
nothing striking about the house, which
is of old style architecture. 1t is two
story wooden building, with perhaps ten
or twelve rooms. On the front side is a
small piazza, the roof of which projects
from the roof of the house, and is sup.
ported by four Large brick columns. The
house shows that good care has been
taken of it. 1t is, however, gradually de-
caying from old ago. The house stands
on hill, and fine view is had of the
mountains and the surrounding country.
The large yard surrounding the house is
now field Of living green, being we'll set
in grass, with beautiful shade trees scat
tered here and there. Some of the oaks
are gigantic. On the west side of the
house, about half mile distant, runs the
Seneca River. Between the river and the
house stands the old fort which, it is
said, was the scene of terrible battle in
the early days of this country between
the whites and the Indians. Our party
spent about two hours on the premises,
and regretted that we could net stay
longer.
When we returned to tie railroad, the
walk had sharpened up the appetites Of
the entire party. Anticipating this. tho
ladies had prepared and brought with
them an ample supply of edibles. The
baskets were opened and the contents
spread in the shade of large oak, and
each one present did his or her full share
in devouring the excellent dinner. After
spending ar hour or two here in pleasant
conversation, we again boarded the train
for home.